Super Rugby holds tough choices for Deans

Robbie Deans has a lot of numbers to crunch before the first Test against the Lions in June, but the Wallabies coach will learn plenty about his key personnel this weekend.

With early-season cobwebs hopefully now out of the way for the local players, there will be nowhere to hide in round four as the best from the Australian conference go head-to-head in Super Rugby.

On Friday night Melbourne hosts Queensland, pitting good mates Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper against each other at five-eighth.

Both candidates have some significant points to prove to Deans if they are to wear the number 10 for Australia against the British and Irish Lions.

Beale must show he can fire despite the burden of a shoulder injury, and Cooper needs to rediscover his form of 2011 if he is to be a chance of regaining the coach's trust.

On Saturday Deans will look on in interest as Israel Folau heads to Canberra anxious to take another stride towards an unlikely Wallabies debut by making a statement against the red-hot Brumbies.

The Waratahs' 31-26 win over the Rebels on Friday night shapes as something of a breakthrough moment for both New South Wales and its star recruit Folau.

"We're obviously headed down to the number one team in the conference next week and we've got to make sure we've got a better grasp around (our game) before we go down there, otherwise they might give us a touch-up," coach Michael Cheika said.

Folau looked shaky at full-back in the round one loss to the Reds but when shifted to the wing halfway through the Rebels match the NRL and AFL convert suddenly looked in his element.

Deans can not ignore a player with Folau's size and freakish skill, but it's essential the new Waratah has time to feel comfortable in one position at Super Rugby level if he is to be considered for a meteoric Test debut.

The early signs suggest wing is that spot.

Despite his damaging work on the flank on Friday, setting up two tries, Folau is set to at least start at full-back against the Brumbies - meaning he will go head-to-head with the exciting Jesse Mogg.

But Cheika has stated all along that his back-three are transferable and there is no doubt Folau will spend plenty of time out wide.

If Berrick Barnes can return from a knee injury, his passing game at number 12 should further enhance Folau's involvement in attack.

Deans will also be interested to see the result of the George Smith effect at the Brumbies.

The veteran openside flanker is set to face the Waratahs, as an impact player off the bench.

Smith will not play for the Wallabies again, but Deans will be hopeful his presence will push the Brumbies superstar number seven David Pocock even further and also inspire young Australian opensides, like New South Wales' Michael Hooper.

"I'd love to play against him. He was really good for me down in Canberra (when Hooper was at the Brumbies), and it's exciting for Australian rugby," Hooper said.

"Apparently he's still at the top of his game so it will be nothing but positives."

Queensland will start as favourite against Melbourne, but the Reds were lucky to get out of jail last week against the Hurricanes.

They are hopeful Ben Lucas and Anthony Faingaa will be passed fit, but captain James Horwill again seems unlikely.